Biathlon Ready?!

Organisers of an annual highlight in the Cornish calendar have set the date for 2024 and are sharing exciting news.

St Ives Surf Life Saving Club, organisers of the iconic St Ives Biathlon, have announced Saturday 22^nd June as the date for this year’s event, along with the return of its title sponsor – Penwith College – and investment in a new online entry system.

With the new registration and payment system streamlining registrations for this year’s event, along with the early date confirmation, organisers are aiming to enable more people to take part, whilst raising vital funds and awareness of the surf life saving club.

Chris Simpson, Chair of St Ives Surf Life Saving Club and Biathlon Event Lead explains:

“The St Ives Biathlon is a highlight in the St Ives calendar for many people – for those taking part and watching. There is a fantastic atmosphere in the town and crowds gather to support the participants, particularly at the harbour where entrants start their runs.”

Chris continued: “The Biathlon is a major fundraiser for SISLSC and involves the whole community. Not only does it raise awareness of our club, who train the lifeguards and lifesavers of the future, it helps to raise the money needed to run our facilities. The Biathlon is only possible with the support of local people and businesses, so we’re extremely grateful to Penwith College  - which is part of Truro & Penwith College -  for returning as our headline sponsor for another year, along with supporting sponsors. With everyone’s support and our new online registrations, we hope 2024 will be our biggest year yet.”

Steve Kenward, Head of Campus for Penwith College said:

“As a college that puts community at the heart of everything we do, we are extremely proud to be sponsoring such a popular event for St Ives and an important fundraiser for St Ives Surf Life Saving Club. The charity works hard to educate young people not only around life saving skills and staying safe in the water, but also the importance of the local coastal environment and protecting it – whilst also having fun. This has a huge synergy with Penwith College and we could not be more excited about supporting this event”.

Many participants return to the popular event year-on-year as part of their sporting calendar, whilst others travel from as far as America, motivated by a personal challenge or the desire to get the St Ives Biathlon under their belt.

2024 marks 26 years since the event started, alongside the 66th anniversary of St Ives Surf Lifesaving Club, with the Biathlon the charity’s flagship event raising funds, awareness and attracting new members.

With new online entry, the event is expected to draw competitors locally and from all over the British Isles, plus international entries, across different categories, including the team event.

Category information and entries are available here: https://stivesbiathlon.enginehousetickets.co.uk/events/62504; the link is also shared through the club’s social media accounts.

With entrants, spectators and supporters on the day, as well as publicity in the lead up, during and after the event, the Biathlon reaches far and wide.

Over 250 people took part in 2023, and early indications are that even more people are expected to be drawn to the Biathlon this year, as well as a high number of business sponsors, alongside the event’s returning headline sponsor.

The Biathlon has fantastic marketing opportunities to offer, reaching a large audience through a variety of branding and communications channels, and there is still just about time to get on board.

Chris added: “There is still an opportunity for businesses to join as supporting sponsors, benefiting from the excellent marketing returns, whilst helping to raise funds for the club. Anyone interested would need to contact Helen Mulhern on helen@eventy.co.uk urgently.”